Be it known that LWILLIAM H. JOHNSTON, of North Fairfield, in the county of Huron and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thatching; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,

clear, and exact description of the invention,

such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in devices for thatching stacks and buildings with straw. Hitherto the devices for this purpose have consisted of hanks of straw knotted on the end and tucked into the stack, or the building first covered with straw and the thatching fastened to the straw, while the more complicated devices, on account of their expense (requiring a professional thatcher) and their tardiness'in preparation, do not meet with general favor.

The object of my present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device which shall be free from the objectionable features of the Old methods in that it can be prepared beforehand by cheap labor and applied quickly to stacks and sheds for live stock.

With these ends in view my invention consists in a strong flexible cord on Which the hanks of straw are fastened in such a manner as to allow them to slide close together.

My invention further consists in a wooden pin with open eye to receive the cord.

My invention still further consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view of a round stack completed. Fig. 2 is a sectional View through stack. Fig. 3 is a view of wooden pin with open eye. Fig. Lis a view of a single hank of straw. Fig. 5 is a view of the top or ridge of a rick or long stack. Fig. 6 is a view of a roof rst covered with boards. Fig. 7 is a View of the thatching in preparation.

D represents a flexible cord. This cord is preferably about one-fourth of an inch in diameter and consists of mouse-proof foddertwine, thus giving it the required strength and great durability.

K represents a hank of straw tied around cord D, then slid close together, as shown in Serial No. 673,000l (No model.)

Fig. 7, until sufficiently long to go around stack. Cord D is then tied around stack tightly.

A represents wooden pin running horizontal into stack until cord D drops into open eye of pin A and running horizontal or pointing a little downward, holds the thatching to its place. This is the inner pin, which is covered with straw. The pin holding the outer cord should slant point upward, as shown in secitional View, so the water will not be conducted into stack.

E, in Fig. 5, shows the tie securing hank of straw to cord D at least two feet from top end of straw, so there will be a lap of four feet across ridge of roof of a rick or long stack. Cord D, as shown in Fig. 6, is fastened to roofboards by staples F. The outer cord is held by grapple or wooden pin A, flattened on point and nailed to roof-board, reaching up far enough so the next lap of straw will cover nails and prevent leakage.

I do not wish to limit myself strictly to cord D,as wire might answer the purpose. Wooden pin A should be two feet in length by onehalf inch thick and seven-eighths inch wide at eye. The eye should be three-eighths inch, as shown in Fig. 3.

The material used for thatching is prefer'- ably rye-straw; but I do not wish to limit my*- self strictly to its use, as other straw or wild grass might answer the purpose.

It is evident that slight changes may be made in the form and construction of the several parts without departing from the spirit 'and scope of my invention. Hence I do not wish to limit myself strictly to the construction herein set forth; but, y

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In devices for thatching stacks and roofs with straw, the combination, with a iiexible cord provided with hanks of straw secured to cord by ties, and cord secured to roof by staples, and grapples or wooden pins with open eye to receive the cord, grapples or wooden pins flattened on the upper end and nailed to roof-board substantially as set forth.

2. A device for thatching stacks and roofs with straw, the combination, with a flexible cord provided with hanks of straw secured to IOO cord by ties, and oord secured to steek by In testimony whereof I have signed this Wooden pins, with open eye to receive the speciioation in the piesenee of two subscribeord, and oord secured to roof by staples and ing Witnesses.

grapples or Wooden pins with open eye to re- WILLIAM H. JOHNSTON. 5 oeive the oord, said grapples o1` Wooden pins Witnesses:

ztttened on upper end and nailed to roof- IVM. F. BAR-NUM,

board, substantially its set forth. WILLIAM I-I. SNYDER.

Correction n Letters Patent No. 614,478.

It is hereby certified that the residence of the patentee in Letters Patent No. 614,478, granted November 22, 1898, upon the application of William H. Johnston, for an improvement in Thatching, Was erroneously Written and printed Fairfield, Ohio, Whereas said residence should have been Written and printed North Fairfield, Ohio; and that the said Letters Patent should loe read With this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Office.

Signed, countersigned, and sealed this 20th day of December, A. D., 1898.